Watching Anime

Queen Selene walked through the palace halls, a soft smile playing on her lips. Varian's words replayed in her mind, and all she could think about was Kael. Her son had always been special, but today? Today, she truly saw just how bright his future could be. Bringing Varian to the palace to train him had been the right decision.

Her steps quickened as she made her way to her chambers, her good mood lifting her spirits. She pushed the doors open and stopped short when she saw the King sitting on her bed, waiting for her.

Her smile vanished, replaced by a frown. "What are you doing here?" she asked, her tone cold.

The King leaned back slightly, unfazed by her reaction. "Is it wrong for a husband to visit his wife in her chambers?" he replied smoothly.

Selene crossed her arms, her gaze sharp. "Don't play games with me. You know exactly why I'm upset."

He sighed, rubbing his temples. "Still mad about Lior?"

"Yes," she snapped. "I told you I didn't want him here, and you brought him anyway. You didn't even consult me."

The King stood, his expression calm but his voice firm. "Lior is my son too, Selene. He has as much right to be here as Kael."

Selene's eyes narrowed. "This isn't about rights. It's about what's best for Kael. You brought Lior here knowing it would create tension. You're trying to turn this into a competition."

"That's not what I'm doing," he said, his tone defensive. "I just want them both to reach their potential."

Selene shook her head, her frustration clear. "Kael doesn't need Lior here. He's thriving under Varian's guidance. You saw it yourself today."

The King hesitated, his expression softening. "I did. Kael is… impressive. More than I expected."

"Exactly," Selene said, her voice quiet but firm. "He doesn't need distractions. He doesn't need comparisons. He needs space to grow."

The King sat back down, his shoulders sagging slightly. "I just want them to get along," he admitted. "They're brothers."

"Brothers or not, they're different," Selene said, her voice gentler now. "Kael will find his own way, and so will Lior. But for now, Kael comes first."

The King nodded slowly, understanding her point even if he didn't entirely agree. "Alright," he said finally. "I'll talk to Lior. Make sure he knows not to push Kael."

Selene's posture relaxed slightly, though her gaze remained steady. "Good. That's all I ask."

For a moment, silence filled the room. Then the King gave her a small, tired smile. "You're a fierce mother, Selene."

"And you're a stubborn man," she replied, though her tone had softened.

He chuckled, standing and heading toward the door. "I suppose we balance each other out."

Selene watched him leave, her mind already returning to thoughts of Kael. She walked over to the window, looking out at the palace gardens below. Her son was going to be extraordinary—she just knew it. And she would do everything in her power to ensure nothing stood in his way.

Kael leaned back on the plush chair in his room, a bucket of popcorn in his hands, crunching away as he watched the giant holographic screen floating in front of him. The screen emitted a soft glow that bathed the room in light. His noise-cancelation device—something he'd whipped up in his free time—ensured complete silence outside, leaving him in his little bubble of peace.

On the screen, a fierce battle unfolded. He had chosen Naruto Shippuden, a classic anime from his past life. The episode playing was the legendary fight between Madara Uchiha and the Allied Shinobi Forces.

Madara stood tall atop a rock, his crimson Sharingan glowing ominously. His voice was calm but carried an unmistakable edge of superiority as he spoke to the gathered forces.

"Do you want these clones to use Susano'o, or should I fight you myself?"

Kael smirked, tossing another handful of popcorn into his mouth. "Man, this guy's on a whole other level," he muttered.

The scene shifted as Madara leapt into the fray, cutting through wave after wave of shinobi with elegant, deadly precision. His movements were fluid, almost like a dance, as he dodged attacks and countered with devastating blows. Kael leaned forward, his eyes glinting with interest.

"Those movements… that's efficiency," he said to himself, rewinding the scene to watch it again. He focused on the way Madara moved—his flawless use of momentum, his ability to control the battlefield, and the precision of his strikes.

When Madara unleashed his Fire Style: Majestic Destroyer Flame, the screen lit up with vivid orange and red flames, consuming everything in its path. Kael's popcorn paused mid-air.

"Now that's power," he whispered, pausing the video and jotting something down on a nearby tablet.

He resumed the anime, watching as the scene escalated. Madara's iconic meteors came crashing down from the sky, the sheer scale of destruction leaving the shinobi forces in chaos. Kael's jaw tightened as he took mental notes.

"What if I could replicate something like that?" he thought, considering how his creation ability could bring such a concept to life. "Not meteors, but something with a similar impact... maybe an energy-based weapon? Or…"

His mind buzzed with ideas as the battle continued, Madara summoning his Perfect Susano'o. The colossal blue figure loomed over the battlefield, cutting mountains in half with a single swing of its sword. Kael paused the video again, tilting his head as inspiration struck.

"What if I could build an armor system like that? Not chakra-based, but something powered by my abilities... lightweight but indestructible."

He scratched his chin, already sketching a rough design on his tablet. The armor would have to be modular, allowing for adaptability in combat. Maybe something that could harness his own energy as a power source.

Kael leaned back, popping more popcorn into his mouth, satisfied with the ideas brewing in his mind. He played the scene one last time, this time focusing on Madara's calm and confident demeanor.

"That's another thing," he muttered, smirking. "Power's nothing without control."

The anime episode ended, but Kael didn't stop. He opened another episode, this time the fight between Naruto and Sasuke in the Valley of the End. His noise-cancelation device continued to hum softly, ensuring he wasn't disturbed as he immersed himself in the battle.

By the time he was done, his tablet was filled with notes, sketches, and concepts for new abilities and equipment. He stretched, tossing the empty popcorn bucket aside.

"Alright," he said, a grin spreading across his face. "Let's see how much of this I can bring to life."

With a wave of his hand, the holographic screen disappeared, and Kael began working on his creations, inspired by the legendary battles he'd just witnessed.